Google’s Googlebook laptop initiative now has hardware from a second manufacturer. Images of the ASUS Googlebook CX9406 surfaced through an iF Design award listing before being pulled, confirming that ASUS is actively building for Aluminium OS — Google’s Gemini-powered laptop operating system expected to ship this fall.
Why This Matters for the Android Ecosystem
Google has confirmed five OEM partners for the Googlebook program — Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, Dell, and HP. Lenovo was the first to leak, with two models appearing in earlier filings. The ASUS CX9406 is the second OEM’s hardware to surface publicly, and its appearance in an industrial design competition suggests it is close to a finished product, not an early prototype. First Googlebooks are expected to launch in fall 2026.
Aluminium OS represents Google’s most serious attempt at a laptop platform since Chrome OS, and unlike Chromebooks, it is built around Gemini AI from the ground up. The iF Design listing itself mislabeled the CX9406 as a “Chromebook” — it runs Aluminium OS, not Chrome OS — which speaks to how new the branding still is, even within design-submission workflows.
What the Leak Shows
The CX9406 features a dark gray chassis built from what ASUS calls “Ultra-Ceramic Light Alloy,” weighing under one kilogram. ASUS claims it is 34% lighter and 13% stronger than an unspecified comparison product — likely a current-generation Chromebook or ultrabook, though the baseline was not disclosed.
Notable design details include:
- Glowbar — an illuminated LED strip above the ASUS logo on the lid, a feature Google has confirmed as a signature Googlebook element across OEMs. Its exact function on this model is not stated, though Google’s broader Googlebook messaging ties it to notifications
- Google “G” launcher key replacing the Windows/Search key position
- Ports — USB-C and HDMI on one side; USB-C, dual USB-A, and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the other
- Curved bottom edges on the chassis
Processor, RAM, storage, and display specifications were not included in the listing.
What Is Not Confirmed
Pricing, exact launch dates, and market availability for the CX9406 remain unknown. Google has not officially unveiled any individual Googlebook model — everything so far has come through leaks and certification filings. The five confirmed OEM partners and the fall 2026 window are the only details Google has put on record.
Source: iF Design listing (since removed), via 9to5Google
